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Jeffrey S. Lehman, Former Cornell President, to Lead NYU Shanghai

April 5, 2012
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Jeffrey S. Lehman, a former president of Cornell University and dean of the University of Michigan Law School, has been named Vice Chancellor of NYU Shanghai, effective this summer. As vice chancellor, he will be the chief executive of NYU Shanghai, in charge of all academic and administrative operations.

NYU announced the creation of NYU Shanghai -- a comprehensive liberal arts and sciences research university -- in March 2011. Along with NYU’s campuses in New York and Abu Dhabi, NYU Shanghai is one of the three degree-granting university campuses in NYU’s global network, which also includes a dozen global academic centers. NYU Shanghai is the first American university with independent legal status approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education. Its first undergraduate class will enter in 2013.

In addition, Yu Lizhong of East China Normal University (ECNU) was named Chancellor of NYU Shanghai. Yu Lizhong has been serving as the President of ECNU since 2006. Under his leadership, the university has embarked upon an ambitious path of growth and internationalization. Dr. Yu’s focus on academic excellence and emphasis on quality teaching are well known in China and abroad. As chancellor, Yu Lizhong will serve as Chairman of the Board of NYU Shanghai.

NYU President John Sexton said, “It would be difficult to imagine – much less find – a better vice chancellor for NYU Shanghai than Jeff Lehman. An esteemed legal scholar and a leader in higher education in both the US and China, he is exceptionally qualified to take on this assignment. His willingness to serve as NYU Shanghai’s leader is a tremendous validation of what we are trying to accomplish in Shanghai and throughout NYU’s global network.

“We are also extraordinarily fortunate that Yu Lizhong of ECNU has accepted the post of Chancellor. His leadership of ECNU has been marked not only by a tremendous record of achievement, but also by exceptional vision. In him, we have found a partner who understands the enormous academic value of a global education, and who has helped us realize this vision here in Shanghai. His guidance, wisdom, experience, and entrepreneurial spirit has been and will continue to be indispensible to the success of NYU Shanghai.

“With pride and pleasure, I welcome and congratulate them both.”

Since 2007, Vice Chancellor Lehman has been serving as the Chancellor and Founding Dean of the Peking University School of Transnational Law, the first school in China to teach an American law JD curriculum. Previously, he served as the 11th President of Cornell University. Before that, he served as the 13th dean of the University of Michigan Law School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, and his J.D. and M.P.P. degrees from the University of Michigan. Last year President Lehman received the “Friendship Award,” China’s highest award for foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China’s economic and social development.

Jeffrey S. Lehman, a former president of Cornell University and dean of the University of Michigan Law School, has been named Vice Chancellor of NYU Shanghai, effective this summer. As vice chancellor, he will be the chief executive of NYU Shanghai, in charge of all academic and administrative operations. NYU announced the creation of NYU Shanghai -- a comprehensive liberal arts and sciences research university -- in March 2011.